Orthodox Jewish rabbi admits role in plot to obtain religious divorces through force

TRENTON, N.J. – Federal prosecutors say an Orthodox Jewish rabbi has admitted conspiring to travel from New York to New Jersey to force a Jewish man to give his wife a religious divorce through threats of violence.

Martin Wolmark now faces five years in prison when he is sentenced on May 18.

The 56-year-old rabbi pleaded guilty Wednesday to conspiracy to travel in interstate commerce to commit extortion.

Prosecutors say Wolmark spoke with a woman and her brother in August 2013 about obtaining a religious divorce — known as a "get" — from the woman's recalcitrant husband.

But he didn't know the woman and her brother were undercover FBI agents and that the conversation was recorded by law enforcement.